Feast of Saint Sebastian

From 16 to 20 July 2026, Ferla, in the heart of the Iblei Mountains and the Noto Valley – recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site – celebrates the Feast of Saint Sebastian, one of the religious festivals most cherished by the local community and one of the most significant events of the summer in Syracuse.

The event combines faith, tradition and community participation through a rich programme of religious celebrations, pilgrimages, artistic illuminations and social gatherings involving the entire village.

The celebrations begin on 16 July, on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with Holy Masses in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the switching on of the spectacular artistic illuminations that will light up the town’s streets.

From 17 to 19 July, the preparatory Triduum takes place in the Basilica of San Sebastiano, featuring the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic celebrations. On the evening of 17 July, the traditional pilgrimage to ‘Sammastianeddu’ is also scheduled, one of the most devout occasions for the Ferle community.

The highlight of the festival takes place on Sunday 20 July, the day dedicated to the patron saint, with solemn religious celebrations and the traditional procession of the statue of Saint Sebastian through the streets of the historic centre, accompanied by the faithful, the confraternities and the town’s authorities, all set against the evocative backdrop of the illuminations.

Throughout the festival, Ferla comes alive with events that showcase the village’s religious and cultural heritage, offering visitors the chance to experience one of south-eastern Sicily’s most authentic traditions, blending spirituality, history and hospitality.

The Festival of Saint Sebastian is a deeply meaningful expression of Ferla’s identity, preserving and passing on a centuries-old devotion that draws residents, former residents and visitors alike to the heart of the Baroque village every year.